Chinese Fields Medalist winner makes unusual AI bet: ‘I’ll write romance novels’

The rapid advancement in artificial intelligence has started to revolutionise various fields. Even AI is conquering the mathematical domain by solving hard-to-crack math problems.

Last week, OpenAI rattled the mathematical community after claiming to solve the century-old Millennium Prize Problem, Navier-Stakes, by using AI agents in just 88 hours.

After this alleged breakthrough, the community is wondering what would the humans do if AI starts conquering and solving maths problems.

In the midst of hullabaloo, Deng Yu, Chinese mathematician who won the 2026 Fields Medal decided to shift to a writing job if artificial intelligence puts him out of a job.

On social media, he posted light-heartedly and jokingly, “If AI can solve all maths problems, I’ll go home and write my yuri [romance-based] novel.”

Deng also raised concerns that AI has created an atmosphere of restlessness and impatience in mathematical circles.

“Once this wavefront passes in the next year or two, the situation will gradually become clear. Mathematics will naturally adapt slowly, and a new ecosystem is gradually taking shape.”

Speaking to the South China Morning Post, Deng said, “I don’t believe AI can develop to the point of solving all mathematical problems.”

However, AI has brought uncertainty in the field as Top 25 Field Medalists signed an open letter criticizing the growing push by AI companies to solve famous mathematical problems to prove its model capability.

According to them, only proving the problem through a model cannot steal the true essence of mathematical research. “Often these solutions are announced in a rush,” the mathematicians wrote, citing the lack of time for careful write-ups and proper attribution.